Martin's Simple Lodge is what is says on the tin, 'Simple'. The rooms are very basic but clean and the women who looked after us worked very hard to see that we were comfortable. Yes, the ride up is either terrifying or exciting depending what type of person you are but the views are stunning especially the view from the communal dining area. This lodge is the closest to the park entrance and the forest is very tropical indeed complete with snakes, lizards, many leeches, and wonderful birds. We stayed for three nights and as keen birders found this time just about right. If you are not a bird watcher or nature lover than this place is definitely not for you but if you are at one with nature then Martin's (who we never saw) is an experience not to be missed.

This Lodge is in the Sinharaja Rainforest and is 3.5 km from the Forest headquarters. The trouble is it is up a track only negotiable by Jeep and the "road" is a boulder strewn track up the side of the hill with a steep drop on one side. Not a journey for the feint hearted - it takes nearly and hour and I had my eyes closed the whole time! We stayed 2 nights and the journey back down took slightly less time but was equally nerve racking.
The lodge itself is in a beautiful setting but there its appeal ends. The rooms are very basic - the dividing walls are just plywood and dont reach to the ceiling so not a lot of privacy. The beds also are just wooden planks with the thinnest of mattresses on. Saying all that - the room was very clean with a good bathroom and shower. Martins daughters cook the simple Sri Lankan food and that was delicious. Unless you are an avid birdwatcher or naturalist this isn't the place for you.

This place is basic but clean and apparently the only place so close to the park--it's surrounded by forest. It's up a very rough track and Martin sent a 4 wheeler for us from the main road, but it adds quite a bit to your costs.

Everyone says that Martin is very knowledgeable being a former ranger, but I suspect he's a bit tired and seemed somewhat glum.

To access the park you must hike down to the park entrance, buy a ticket and hire a guide. The road's not so clearly marked and Martin's instructions aren't too precise, but we made it. I understand that this part of the park is better than at Deniyaya, though like in most tropical forests not too much wildlife is visible. That said, the famous Sri Lankan blue magpies (magnificent!) came to the lodge in the morning, and the guide was able to point out a number of other endemics. If you're coming from the south (Galle, eg.) it's a very long dusty journey as there is road construction.

Set on a hillside, surrounded by dense rainforest, visited everyday by emerald doves, junglefowl, blue magpies, grey hornbills, Indian pittas and other birds, with a resident water monitor just outside, Martin's Lodge is birder heaven! The facilities are very basic, and vegetarians may not have too many options, but when one is in the lap of nature like the Sinharaja rainforest, who cares!